The German preliminary round opponent Japan is not yet in World Cup form. Goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt saved the Japanese, who played with a number of Bundesliga professionals, from defeat in the 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Düsseldorf on Tuesday (September 27th, 2022).
In the 83rd minute, the keeper from the Belgian football club made a save VV St Truiden a penalty kick by substitute Enner Valencia Fenerbahçe Istanbul. The USA-born Schmidt also saved Japan from falling behind on a number of other occasions.
Five Bundesliga pros for Japan on the pitch
Five professionals employed in Germany were used in Ao Tanaka from the second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hiroko Ito, Wataru Endo (both VfB Stuttgart), Ritsu Doan (SC Freiburg) and Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt). Only after Endos and Kamadas came on did the Japanese become a little more dangerous in the second half. On Friday before, Japan had also won 2-0 against the USA in Düsseldorf.
However, Ecuador dominated the game and are scheduled to play the opening match of the World Cup in Qatar on November 20 against the host country. Just under two weeks ago, the FIFA Appeals Committee dismissed the appeal of the Chilean and Peruvian soccer associations. They had complained that full-back Byron Castillo had been used in the World Cup qualifiers with false identity papers. But this was rejected. Castillo from the Mexican club Leon also played at right-back.
Last test against Canada
Japan, which is Germany’s first World Cup opponent in the preliminary round on November 23, will play a final World Cup friendly against Canada on November 17. Ecuador currently has no more tests scheduled before the start of the World Cup in just under two months.
Costa Rica spins behind
Costa Rica, Germany’s last group opponents on December 1, beat Uzbekistan with two late goals. In the friendly, which was held in South Korea, the Uzbeks took the lead with a goal from Eldor Shomurodov (25th minute). Thanks to goals from Anthony Hernandez and Kendall Waston in the second and fourth minutes of added time, the World Cup participants still won.
Four days earlier, Costa Rica had come to a 2-2 draw with South Korea.